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L.A. County plastic bag ban clears first hurdle

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the preliminary ordinance

Platic bags at supermarkets and other stores would be banned

Stores that offer paper bags would charge 10 cents

(CNN) -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a preliminary ordinance that bans plastic bags at supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The final ordinance will be drafted and voted on next week, and if approved then, the ban will go into effect on July 1, 2011, for some stores and January 1, 2012 for all stores, said Brian Lew, spokesman for the board of supervisors.

The preliminary measure passed on a 3-1 vote. However, one supervisor who supports the measure was absent, so next week's final vote could be 4-1.

In addition to banning plastic bags, the ordinance would require stores that provide recyclable paper bags to charge 10 cents per bag.